steering adjustment
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lititz PA
steering adjustment
I was working on my car the other day and noticed that I had two spindles on each side where the tie rods connect in the front. Currently the car is set up with the tie rods in the short hole. What difference will moving the set up to the outer holes make. I have a 454 without power steering and get a workout each time I drive. (Sorry if the technical stuff is off a bit.)
Thanks for your help! :flag
Thanks for your help! :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: steering adjustment (1971 454)
If you move your tie rods to the rearward steering arm holes (resulting in a longer steering arm) you will reduce the effort required to steer your car. It will not respond quite as fast as before the change because your overall steering ratio will change from 17.6:1 to 20.2:1. This means you will have to turn your steering wheel 20.2 degrees for every 1 degree that your tire turns on the road rather than 17.6 degrees.
Why not consider adding power steering?
Why not consider adding power steering?
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Niedernhausen, Germany
Re: steering adjustment (1971 454)
On vehicles without power steering, the tie rod ends came mounted in the long holes from the factory. So I assume, your car originally had power steering and was converted to a manual steering. I would definitely change over to the outer holes, as 1. you will have easier steering 2. the higher force you are pulling on the wheel at the moment will stress the bearings of the steering column more than they are designed for.
Be aware that you will have to have your front end alligned after the change.
Be aware that you will have to have your front end alligned after the change.
